Recently I've been watching a good number of Frank Capra's movies and this one was next in line. I was optimistic at the beginning of the film but was quickly disappointed. There were some funny parts throughout but movies like The Strong Man (1926, silent) and The Power of the Presses (1928, silent) were much stronger. The fact that Capra's silent movies are better than this movie does not bode well. Compare this movie to the 1928 silent comedy by Capra, That Certain Thing. There are lot of similarities in that the woman that male protagonist loves is a "gold digger," or as one character says in this movie a "gold miner," but this movie misses the social commentary of that movie. I would argue that while there may be some commentary it is not strong, other than the protagonist's parents not wanting to marry "below his class" and the occasional wild parties.
Additionally, I'm not sure what to take away from this film at the end: that "gold diggers" get what they want or that love crosses class lines. I just found this movie on the whole much less compelling than Capra's other films. It was interesting however to have female characters who worked and schemed together, refuting the idea they are dumb and push-overs. Perhaps I will watch this again in the future but not anytime soon.
Additionally, I'm not sure what to take away from this film at the end: that "gold diggers" get what they want or that love crosses class lines. I just found this movie on the whole much less compelling than Capra's other films. It was interesting however to have female characters who worked and schemed together, refuting the idea they are dumb and push-overs. Perhaps I will watch this again in the future but not anytime soon.